FAQ Elementary Strings

When and how often does the class meet?
Please look at your school flier or on the registration system for the dates and times as each school is different. Classes meet once a week except Sycamore Canyon which meets twice a week.

Who is the instructor?
We have wonderful instructors who teach at one or more schools. When you register, their name is listed as the instructor and their school flier will also have their name listed. Barring any emergency, these will be the instructors for the entire school year.

How do I register?
To view and register for all CRPD classes, please visit here or use the link above. Use the keyword function to look up your school name. It will show you all classes offered on that campus including afterschool and before school music programs. Registration is open during the Fall and Winter sessions. Fall session runs through January and Spring runs through May. 

My child has special needs, can they still participate in the music programs?  
The Conejo Recreation and Park District Inclusion Program can be utilized by children with special needs and/or challenging behaviors. To find out more, please check the box during the online registration process, on the registration form, or email inclusion@crpd.org. If your child is a patron of Tri Counties Regional Center, they must send their invoice to their Service Coordinator in order to gain approval and payment.

How long does the session run?
The Fall session runs from September-January.
The Spring Session runs from late January- May.

Are there performances?
Depending on the school and instructor, there may be an afterschool or evening performance. The information will come from your instructor.

Do I have to buy an instrument?
If you own one already, you are welcome to use it. You may rent one from the companies listed below or borrow one from another family. We only ask that all instruments come in good condition and fits your child properly. All students are responsible for bringing, storing, and returning home with their instrument for each class day. Most schools do not have any available space for storage so this guarantees their instruments will be safe and also home for them to practice. Parents or guardians are responsible for providing an instrument and the method book specified by the instructor. Some schools may be able to provide instruments. Parents interested in this option should contact their Band instructor for more information. Resources for method book purchase and instrument rental/purchase are listed below. Our recommendation for Band students is to rent an instrument, as Middle School band programs often ask students to change instruments.
 
Do you need assistance in renting an instrument?
A limited amount of insturments may be available to assist families in need. Please reach out to us so that we can connect you with the Conejo Schools Foundation who has graciously partnered with the program after a successful instrument donation drive. 

How much practice time is required?
Participants are encouraged to practice at least one day a week to help gain confidence, body movement training and patterns, and to help identify areas that they may need assistance on.
 
What do we need to bring to class?
Supplemental material will be provided by the instructor at no extra charge. Parents are responsible for providing an instrument and the method book specified by the instructor. Resources for instrument rental/purchase are listed below. Our recommendation for Band students is to rent an instrument, as Middle School band programs often ask students to change instruments. 

Nick Rail Music                                       
Agoura Hills
www.nickrailmusic.com
818 991-3750  
 
Dave Janssen’s School of Music
1109-B E Los Angeles Ave
Simi Valley, CA 93065
www.musicarts.com/rentals
805-520-7858
 
Cyndi Hall’s Music Studio    (By appointment only)            
www.cyndihallsmusicstudio.com
 (661) 212-8531
 (661) 755-9418 
 
Who can participate?
 Beginning band is open to all 4th & 5th grade students, they may choose from Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, or Percussion. 

Advanced Elementary Band students may choose from Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone or Percussion.
 
How much is each semester?
Each semester is $230.

What are my options to pay?
Payments may be paid in full, a small deposit can be made with three monthly payments scheduled through the registration screen (stored credit card required for this option), or financial aid is available. If you are requesting financial aide, please do so ASAP so that we can register your child to be able to start classes on time. If your student is a Tri Counties Regional Center patron, they must send their invoice to their Service Coordinator to process their payment.

​​​​​​​Payment Plan with Automatic Credit Card Charges:
If making payment helps with you home finances, you can go directly to the registration page and chose the automatic credit card payment option. You will be required to pay the initial $57.50 with a credit card and the balance will be automatically charged to your credit card in installments of $57.50 on October 15, November 15, and December 15.

Financial Assistance:
It is our goal to make the Elementary Music Program available to all interested students regardless of financial need. The Elementary Music Financial Aid Fund is limited and to aid to as many students as possible, we ask that parents try to make some payment. 

To request Financial Assistance in the form of a partial or complete fee waiver, we have created an online form which you must complete and submit. This form is the registration form for Students Requesting Financial Aid, DO NOT COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION ABOVE - ONLY SUBMIT THIS FORM. Hillcrest Center for the Arts Staff will contact you with approval of your request, and if you are required to make a partial payment, you will need to do so by calling the Hillcrest Center for the Arts at 805-381-2747 after you have received confirmation of your approval. 

​​​​​​​CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR THE ONLINE FINANCIAL AID FORMS
Financial Assistance Form (English)
​​​​​​​Solicitud de asistencia financiera en línea (Espanol)

What is the refund policy Refund Policy?
The Conejo Recreation and Park District Refund Policy is as follows:
 
ACTIVITY REFUND POLICY
Transfers and Refunds cannot be done online or on the school campus. Refunds are returned to the customer in the same manner that the original registration was paid. For example, if you paid via credit card then the refund will be credited directly to your card; if you paid cash, your refund will be returned as a check by mail within 2-4 weeks of request. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GRANTED AFTER THE SECOND CLASS DATE.  This policy applies to all District-sponsored activities and special instruction classes. 

CANCELLATIONS BY THE PARTICIPANT:          
1. A full refund will be granted if the District is notified at least two business days (Monday-Friday) prior to the start of the program activity.  If you cancel within two business days of the class starting, you will be charged for the first class.
2. A refund will be granted on a pro-rata basis if the District is notified prior to the date of the second meeting of the activity. 
3 REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GRANTED AFTER THE SECOND MEETING.
4. Refunds for medical reasons will be granted on a pro-rata basis subject to written certification of such reasons by a physician.
CANCELLATIONS BY THE DISTRICT:
1.  A full refund will be made in the event an activity is cancelled by the District prior to the starting date.
2.  A partial refund will be made on a pro-rata basis if the activity is cancelled prior to the conclusion of the program.​​​​​​​